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Language Lesson.—­Let pupils fill blanks
in the sentences given below, using in turn, each
of the following sets of words:

(1) saw, knew, was, plunged;

(2) sees, knows, is, plunges;

(3) perceived, thought,
was, jumped;

(4) perceives, thinks,
is, jumps;

(5) noticed, concluded,
was, dived;

(6) notices, concludes,
is, dives.

He ——­ in the water a white object,
which he ——­ —­ the boy’s
dress. Then he ——­ into the
roaring rapids.

When the first, third, and fifth sets of words are
used, the action is represented as something that
is past; but when the second, fourth, and sixth sets
are used, the action is represented as going on at
the present time.

The forms of verbs (action-words) which
are given in the first, third, and fifth sets are
used to indicate past time, and are called past
tenses; and the forms given in the second, fourth,
and sixth sets are used to indicate present time,
and are called present tenses.

[17] See fifth paragraph from the end of the passage.

[18] See Lesson L.

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LESSON LXII.

e merge’, come out.

vor’tex, water in whirling motion; a whirlpool.

con fid’ed, given into the care of.

vis’i ble, in sight.

spec ta’tors, those who look on.

vent’ured, dared.

re ward’, that which is received in return
for one’s acts.

des’ti nies, lives and fortunes.

sup pressed’, kept back.

re doub’led, made twice as great.

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ANECDOTE OF WASHINGTON.

PART II.

O, how that mother’s straining eyes followed
the struggling youth! How her heart sunk when
he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge
again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside
with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her
boy!

But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not
to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off
the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant,
he could not overtake the drowning child.

Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed
shriek escaped the mother’s lips; but twice
he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together,
and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress,
as his form was hurried onward.

The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions,
for they were approaching the most dangerous part
of the river.

The rush of waters at this spot was tremendous, and
no one ventured to approach it, even in a canoe, lest
he should be dashed to pieces.